State Licensing Requirements

Licensing (or "licensure") is the most restrictive of the various forms of what is known as “credentialing” i.e. the process of granting or gaining a “credential.” It generally refers to the mandatory governmental requirement necessary to practice in a particular profession or occupation, and usually includes an examination, sometimes in addition to completion of appropriate training and/or experience.

"Certification", on the other hand, is usually a voluntary process instituted by a non-governmental agency in which individuals are recognized for their knowledge and skill. Certification only becomes mandatory if it is adopted by a state or federal agency as the basis of a licensing program (such as the CCO crane operator certification program in West Virginia or New Jersey) or if an employer or project owner requires it as a basis for employment.

Currently, 18 states and 6 cities have licensing requirements for crane operators. Administrative procedures change periodically; please ensure you contact the appropriate authority to ensure you have the latest information.

For individual state requirements visit the NCCCO State Licensing Requirements page and click on your state.

Visit the NCCCO State Certification page for more information